Winter Chill Chaser

We have yet another announcement, this time for all of our Ocracoke/Dance fans out there in cyberspace. Fiddler Dave sent the following information about a Contra Dance weekend being held on the island at the end of this month. If you live on the island or nearby consider joining us for this fun weekend.

All dances and workshops are free & everyone is welcome.

Read on for more particulars:

Ocrafolk Festival Presents
Winter Chill Chaser
Free Contra Dance and Organic Farming Workshop Weekend at Ocracoke Island School

Friday, February 24
7:00 - 9:30 pm -- Family Contra Dance
Lots of teaching and easy dances, suitable for people who have never danced before. Children should know left from right, be comfortable letting go of parents and interacting with strangers, and be able to listen to and follow a short series of instructions. Refreshments provided by the Ocracoke Family Resource Program.

Saturday, February 25
10:00 am - 12:00 pm Dance Workshop
Teaching a few more complex contra moves, plenty of dances, and a session of basic waltz instruction. Geared towards teens and adults.

2:00 - 3:30 pm Contra musicians workshop
David DiGuiseppie and Pete Campbell will help musicians hone their dance
accompaniment skills.

7:00 - 10:00 pm Chillchaser Contra Dance Ball
Contra calling and instruction by Joan Kelly of Memphis, TN.
Weekend music provided by David DiGiuseppe and Pete Campbell.

Sunday, February 26
1:00 - 5:00 pm Organic Farming Workshop at Deepwater Theater
At Deepwater Theater on Ocracoke’s School Road come explore films and discussion about Agriculture with Organic Farmer John Wilson from New Earth Farm in Virginia Beach. He will discuss the need to preserve local family farms, Sustainable Agriculture and some of the pitfalls of factory farming.

Contra dance is a lively and distinctively American form of folk dancing, rooted in English Country Dancing. The dance is social in nature, vigorous and joyful. Partners dance together, repeating a series of moves with every other couple in line down the hall. There is no specific footwork to learn, and all the moves are taught, walked through, and prompted by the caller during the dance. Live music adds to the zest. Contra dance groups meet regularly all over the United States.

Come alone or bring a friend!
www.ocrafolkfestival.org

Our current monthly Ocracoke Newsletter is Gary Mitchell's essay "I Believe in Pot-Lucks," published January 23, 2006. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news012306.htm.

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